2010 Q3 Contest

Bride Getting Ready

Judges Comments

This photo has more subtle humor but also is very well exposed with several beautiful elements. All the patterns in the room work well with the simplicity of the texture of the dog’s hair and the texture that mirrors the texture in the brides dress and the moment is nicely captured with a reflection in the mirror. A lot of elegance and grace in the photo!

If dogs and owners truly look alike then it would be an easy bet which dog "owns" this bride. Perhaps it's just me but my experience as a photojournalist taught me that moments like this are rare. I'm glad this photographer used every possible element to bring it home for the rest of us through simple use of available light, good composition and enough skill to "get out of the way" of a delightful scene long enough to let it speak to the rest of us.

Sometimes the circumstances can really help turn a photograph into a work of art. The combination of patterns and textures work together perfectly. This could be in any wedding magazine.

Judges Comments

I loved this shot as soon as I saw it. The gesture, and spontaneity in the bridesmaids is genuine and I love the crop on the bride. There is no need to see the brides face or her entire body. The photographer really did a nice job with this.

Judges Comments

This photo has many elements working to make it a clear winner. The expression on the face of the dog almost mirrors the expression of the bride and in that split second moment the photograph is framed beautifully and the light is perfect highlighting the dog and backlighting the bride. Very funny moment!

Judges Comments

Judges Comments

What a fun way to capture a relatively ordinary scene, although, I must confess, washing your hair while standing outside the shower door is somewhat unique. Nonetheless, the photographer was there and found a delightful moment.

Judges Comments

Wonderful action packed moment of the bride and this woman. You can see that they must have a special relationship in this photo and it’s an unexpected moment. Framing is great while they are captured in mid air together!

Just a great moment, showing great joy. It was made even better by the simplicity of black and white.

Judges Comments

Another funny image with several elements working well except the child almost gets lost in the frame. I wonder if in color it would have been easier to see. Love the fact that the bride is laughing and taking it all in stride. The moment of action on the dog adds a lot of energy to the image.

Judges Comments

Here's another fun moment that won't be forgotten as a bridesmaid takes her precarious perch on the arm of a chair. But there's more here than meets the eye. The photo works through a combination of leading lines and negative space, the latter framed by the angled ceiling to capture the viewers eyes in a perpetual circle that moves from the bottom of the dress to the top and back again. It's classic photojournalism done well.

Judges Comments

There's nothing quite as wonderful as the camera's ability (in the hands of a skilled photographer) to record a subtle scene in a way that we can all enjoy the "moment." The graphic shapes combined with judicious framing simplifies the complexity of the moment to the universal experience of finding a moment of relaxation among friends and family.

Judges Comments

The eyes in three of the four woman really give a sense of spontaneity, emotion and anticipation. I wish I could see the woman on the far right and I might suggest cropping in on the woman on the left but still a very strong image.

Judges Comments

Judges Comments

I loved this image - the boy at left - struggling in a silent war with a tie, clutching something else between his legs - while the women and girl at right get ready for the big event in assembly line fashion. This is a jarringly subtle juxtaposition of two "worlds" in one moment.

Photographer's Comment

This was definitely a case of hanging back and waiting for the right moment. The light was falling from a large window of to my right which was perfect for the scene. I took a few closer shots of the boy attempting his tie but decided to pull back and wait for the scene to evolve. When after a moments the young bridesmaid joined for some dress adjustments I knew I would be likely to get a result. It turned out to be one of my favourite photographs of 2010.

Photographer's Comment

I was beside the bride with 50mm f1.4 attached with my camera. The make-up artist decided to align her veil. Without wasting much time, I took a few steps back and took the shot . The bride's hand covering her lips to prevent staining her veil complemented the shot.

The Wedding Photojournalist Association put the world's best wedding photography at your fingertips. We offer a new perspective on wedding photography - quietly capturing the real moments as they happen for the bride and groom. It is our goal to use photography to tell the story of your wedding day, not dictate it for you.